Head of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

Head of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

Location: Bedfordshire + Site Travel

Salary: Circa £90,000 + Car / Car Allowance + Bonus + Pension + Private Healthcare

An established and rapidly growing groundworks and civil engineering contractor is seeking an experienced Head of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) to join its senior management team and take strategic ownership of HSE across the business.

The company has experienced significant growth in recent years, increasing turnover from approximately £62m to £100m, with a strong pipeline of secured work and continued expansion plans.

This is a genuine Head of Department position. The successful candidate will lead an established team of four Health & Safety Advisors and work closely with the Directors and senior management team to define, develop and implement the company's HSE strategy.

The role requires someone who can operate strategically at senior level while remaining close to operational delivery, maintaining a visible presence across live groundworks, civil engineering and infrastructure projects.

Head of Health, Safety & Environment Salary & Benefits

• Salary circa £90,000, depending on experience
• Company Car or Car Allowance
• Performance-related bonus
• Pension scheme - up to 5% employer contribution
• Private healthcare
• Death in service
• 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays
• Holiday entitlement rising to 28 days + BH with service
• Funded training and professional development
• Excellent long-term career progression opportunities

Head of Health, Safety & Environment Job Overview

• Take strategic ownership of Health, Safety and Environmental performance across the business, setting the direction and standards for the HSE function
• Develop, implement and continually improve the company's HSE strategy
• Lead, manage and develop an established team of four Health & Safety Advisors
• Work closely with Directors and senior management to establish HSE objectives, priorities and standards
• Drive a positive and proactive HSE culture throughout the organisation
• Provide leadership, coaching and professional advice to senior management and operational teams
• Maintain a visible presence across live projects, ensuring HSE strategy is effectively embedded at site level
• Oversee HSE audits, inspections and incident investigations, including root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Monitor HSE performance, trends and KPIs, providing clear recommendations to senior management
• Maintain and continually improve HSE management systems, including ISO 45001 and ISO 14001
• Drive environmental performance across areas including waste management, pollution prevention, environmental risk and sustainability
• Ensure compliance with relevant UK Health & Safety and Environmental legislation and industry standards

Head of Health, Safety & Environment Job Requirements

• Previous experience as a Head of HSE, Head of Health & Safety, HSE Manager, Regional HSE Manager, Senior HSE Manager or similar
• Strong background within groundworks, civil engineering, infrastructure, earthworks, residential development or closely related construction
• Demonstrable experience of defining, developing and implementing HSE strategy at organisational level
• Previous experience leading and developing HSE / Health & Safety professionals
• Strong operational knowledge with the credibility to engage effectively with both site teams and senior management
• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent recognised Health & Safety qualification
• CMIOSH or working towards Chartered status would be advantageous
• Experience with ISO 45001 and ISO 14001
• Strong understanding of UK Health & Safety and Environmental legislation
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to sites as required

About the Company

This established contractor specialises in groundworks, civil engineering and infrastructure, delivering projects for leading national and regional developers.

Following substantial growth, the business continues to invest in its people, systems and operational capabilities. This appointment provides an experienced HSE professional with the opportunity to take ownership of an established function, influence at senior management level and shape the future HSE strategy of a growing civil engineering business.

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